The Skinny on Low-Cal Cocktails

Today is January 9^th, which means there are probably still some (or lots) of you out there who’ve not yet broken your New Year’s resolution to watch what you eat and drink. I’m all for trying to live a more healthy lifestyle, but do you really want to spend the next few cold winter months cooped up in the house eating Nutrisystem and drinking overpriced mineral water? I didn’t think so.

 

Did you know some of your classic go-to cocktails are already low in calories, or can be made so with just a few little substitutions? Cut down on your portion size, use artificial sweeteners in the place of sugar, make simple cocktails with just a few ingredients, and make small changes where you can. Here are a few easy recipes to help you stick to your resolution without going through a total dry spell:

 

100 Cal (or less!) Cocktails:

 

Irish Coffee- you can enjoy this classic winter warmer at just 96 calories if you follow this recipe

 

1 ½ oz. Jameson Irish Whiskey

Cup black coffee

Splenda (to sweeten if you feel you need it)

 

Stir ingredients in a preheated mug and enjoy!

 

Rum & Cola or the Cuba Libre-Change it up a bit with this substitution and you’ve got a more flavorful, low-cal cocktail

 

Coconut Libre: (77 cal)

 

1 ½ oz. Malibu Coconut Rum

6 oz. Diet Cola

 

Stir ingredients to combine in a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.

 

Mimosa-Take this champagne cocktail, traditionally thought of as a “breakfast” or “brunch” drink into the evening for a refreshing way to watch your figure

 

PJ Mimosa: (71 cal)

 

½ glass Perrier Jouet Champagne

4 oz. light orange juice

 

Combine ingredients in a champagne flute and serve.

 

Other figure friendly cocktails:

 

Girlish Figure: (97 cal)

 

1 ½ oz. Malibu Coconut Rum

4 oz. Light Cranberry Juice

Splash Diet Lemon-Lime Soda

 

Combine Malibu Coconut Rum and Light Cranberry Juice in a highball glass filled with ice. Add Diet Lemon-Lime Soda to top and garnish with a slice of lime.

 

Port Orange: (91 cal)

 

1 ½ oz. Sandeman Founder’s Reserve Port

4 oz. Light Orange Juice

 

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake thoroughly. Strain into a brandy snifter and garnish with an orange slice.

 

Beefeater Berry: (96 cal)

 

1 oz. Beefeater Gin

1 lime wedge

6 oz. Light Cranberry Juice

 

Muddle the lime wedge and Beefeater Gin in the bottom of a Collins glass. Fill glass with ice and add Light Lemonade. Tumble and serve with a lime wedge garnish.